Microsoft Excel is Waiting for Another Application to Complete OLE Action

Office apps interact with other apps through the OLE technology

4 min. read

Updated onMay 30, 2024

updated onMay 30, 2024

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Getting aMicrosoft Excel is waiting for another application to complete OLEaction error?

When it shows up, Excel becomes unusable, and you are forced to terminate the program. It presents a major issue, but there are some quick fixes and workarounds. Let’s take a look at them.

How do I fix Microsoft Excel is waiting for another application to complete an OLE action?

Before trying a complex solution, try restarting your computer with Excel running and cancel when prompted to close it. Moving files from cloud into the computer anddisabling VPNcould also help.

If you’re still getting the error, try the following fixes:

1. Enable the DDE feature

Enabling the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) feature is likely to solve the error. You can easily turn on this feature through Excel’s built-in settings.

LaunchMicrosoft Exceland open a new sheet.
Click on theFilemenu near the top-left.
Click onMoreand then chooseOptions.
Head to theAdvancedtab, tick theIgnore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)option, and then click onOKto save the changes.
Once done, restart Excel.

2. Disable all add-ins

Once done, restart Excel for the changes to come into effect, and you shouldn’t encounter theMicrosoft Excel is waiting for another application to complete an OLE actionmessage anymore.

Users primarily reported theCisco WebexandAdobe Acrobat PDFMaker add-ins, amongst others, to be conflicting. So, make sure to check and remove the two.

3. Repair Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office provides a built-in repair option to eliminate a range of issues with it, includingMicrosoft Excel is waiting for another application to complete an OLE action. So, run it and verify whether the error is resolved.

4. Run Excel in Safe Mode

What is an OLE action in Excel?

Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) action is a technology allowing Office apps to interact with other programs.

It allows an editing app to send part of a document to other apps and then import the data, i.e., take it back with more content. The process, though usually quick, can take some time depending on the other application and the other vital parameters.

Here are a few reasons you might be getting theMicrosoft Excel is waiting for another application to complete an OLE actionerror:

In case you are still facing the same problem, switch to areliable Microsoft Office alternative. There are several of these, each offering a plethora of features and being just as effortless as the former.

If you have any queries or want to share another solution we missed, drop them in the comments section below.

Microsoft Excel is Waiting for Another Application to Complete OLE Action#

How do I fix Microsoft Excel is waiting for another application to complete an OLE action?#

1. Enable the DDE feature#

2. Disable all add-ins#

3. Repair Microsoft Office#

4. Run Excel in Safe Mode#

What is an OLE action in Excel?#